DAVID BROWN, Insurance, Loan and Real Estate Office, Notary Public.--The rapid growth of Nebraska City has brought forth a class of active and enterprising people, whose dealings are characterized by a clear foresight. David Brown has been established in his business twenty-five years, and has resided here thirty years. He does a large insurance business and represents numerous companies, the records of which are the pride of the insurance world. He also does a loan and real estate business, taking conscientious care of the management of estates. Farm loans: no delinquent interest; no foreclosures; no losses. Satisfactory references. He is a notary public. Mr. Brown has also been an extensive farmer and cattle breeder for many years, especially in short-horned cattle He has one ranch of 3,000 acres, besides other land. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and enjoys the unlimited confidence of his patrons for his straight forward dealings

     FRANK E. HELVEY, Postmaster, Custodian United States Government Building.--Mr. Helvey was born in Indiana, and has been postmaster here over two years. He is prominently identified with the Masons and I. O. O. F., and has lived thirty years in the city. He was formerly chief accountant for eight years here for the book and stationery house, Harding & Co., after which he was five years deputy clerk. Mr. Helvey, as postmaster, has continued to act in the straight and strictly conscientious way towards the public as he has ever done, being fully aware of the weighty responsibilities resting on his shoulders, and is eminently worthy the success he has met with, and the confidence reposed in him.

     S. H. MORRISON, Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, 715 Central Avenue.--A representative establishment in Nebraska City is that of S. H. Morrison. He was established twenty-five years ago. and occupies nice premises, 22 x85 feet. He makes a specialty of the finest lines of watches, clocks, jewelry, diamonds, also pianos and organs; and the best makes of spectacles, eye-glasses. etc. Mr. Morrison is a native of Pennsylvania, and has lived in our county since October, 1866. He belongs to the Loyal Legion and the G. A. R., having served in the 2d Wisconsin Infantry. He is also a Mason (being a Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, Commandery and Scottish Rite). His patronage represents the high class custom of the city. Mr. Morrison is a gentleman of excellent standing, and is popular with all the community.

      NEBRASKA CITY IRON WORKS, Wale & Eccleston. Proprietors.--The leading mechanical enterprise of Nebraska City is the above, established in 1877. The premises, which are 60 x 150 feet, are thoroughly equipped with all the best improved machinery, operated by steam power. A force of five mechanics is employed in the production of the high grade work for which the establishment is noted. They manufacture all kinds of architectural iron work, engine and boiler trimmings. John Wale is a native of Illinois, and is a K. P. and M. W. A. F. Eccleston is a native New Yorker, and is a Mason. They are practical and skillful workmen, and have won a well-earned prominence in their line in this State.

     NEBRASKA DISTILLERY COMPANY.--Nebraska City has during the last decade manifested more spirit of progress and enterprise, than at any other period of her history. Evidences of substantial prosperity are becoming abundant, and industry, the hand-maiden of civilization, is exercising her potent influence. The Nebraska Distillery Company was organized in 1890 and is the largest concern of is kind west of the Mississippi. The premises consist of five buildings, including malt-house, grainhouse, corn cribs, hay barns, elevators; besides numerous barns. The buildings are remarkable for their completeness and convenience and the care exercised in their construction. The equipment in machinery, mechanical appliances and facilities is thorough, as complete as any establishment in the country. They are manufacturers of alcohol and spirits, the output per diem being 10,000 gallons. A force of 100 hands is employed; and the heavy business transacted, necessitiates the constant keeping of 1,800 cattle on the premises. Geo. L. Woolsey, president, and Edward P. Genung, vice president, are New Yorkers. Fred B. Smith, secretary and treasurer is a native of Wisconsin. The greatest credit is due the officers of this company for their enterprise and ability, contributing materially, as they have done, to the reputation of the city and stimulating enterprise by their example.

     J. V. MORGAN, County Attorney.--This gentleman lends strength to the Nebraska City bar and is considered one of the safest attorneys in the city. He is a native of this city, where he was admitted to the bar in 1890, having graduated in that year from the law school of the University of Michigan. He is our county attorney and is serving his first term. He is an A. O. U. W. Mr. Morgan is most diligent in working at his cases, well read in the details of law and it is very safe to place cases in his hands.

     JOHN CAWLEY, Plumber, Eighth Street, near Postofflce.--One of the most prosperous and enterprising men in Nebraska City is John Cawley, established five years. His place is well-located on Eighth Street, near the Postoffice. He is contractor for steam and hot water heating, plumbing and gas fitting. He employs all the time from three to eight workmen, all of whom are practical and experienced men. All work done by Mr. Cawley is strictly first-class, He is a native of Ohio, and came here from Omaha. He is an I. O.O. F. He is known for his courteous manner and strict integrity, and the success obtained by him is solely due to his own ability.

     J. C. WATSON, Attorney.--Hon. J. C. Watson is one of those who have been created by the advancement of Nebraska City. He came here from Michigan, and has been practicing with eminent success since 1874, having graduated in 1873, from the law department of the University of Michigan. Mr. Watson is prominently identified with the Masons. He is among the brightest minds at the Nebraska bar. He was speaker of the Nebraska State legislature, twenty-first session. Has been elected member of the State legislature three times, was formerly district attorney for the four counties--Lancaster, Otoe, Cass and Nemaha. In criminal cases he is especially famous. He prosecuted the celebrated Quinby-Harmon case.

     DUNN & COLEMAN, The Good Luck Grocery, 813 Central Avenue.--Messrs. Dunn & Coleman. established eight years, occupy premises 24x75 feet in extent, and two hands are employed. The stock carried is comprehensive and complete, embracing foreign and domestic groceries, table delicacies, nuts, fruits, condiments, jellies, confections, etc., besides provisions of all kinds and country produce in season. German is spoken here. Messrs. Dunn & Coleman are natives of England and Ohio. They are active and enterprising business men, eminently deserving of the signal success which has crowned their well directed management of the enterprise in hand.

     CLARK GOLD AND COCA COMPANY.--Our pen sketches of Nebraska City's important enterprises would be incomplete without mention of the celebrated Clark Gold and Coca Cure Company, headquarters at Hamburg, Iowa. The capital of this corporation is $200,000. This establishment guarantees a cure for the use of narcotics, liquor, opium and tobacco. The company is establishing institutes all over the country and their agents are selling territory for them. They have over sixty institutes in the South and West.

     SLOAN'S DRUG STORE, 622 Central Avenue.--A prominent establishment of this city is Sloan's drug store, established fourteen years. The premises at 622 Central Avenue are complete and commodious, being 25x50 feet, and three assistants are required. Mr. Sloan is agent for the Pacific Express Company. He is a native of Philadelphia, and is an active and able business man.

     GEO. W. HAWKE & CO., Insurance Agents and Dealers in Real Estate; Office in the Farmers' Bank.--The senior member of this firm has been engaged in business here since 1859. In the insurance department several standard companies are represented. and risks are placed on all insurable property and losses promptly and satisfactorily adjusted. All descriptions of city and suburban realty is bought, sold and rented, and a general collection business is done. Geo. W. Hawke is a native of Ohio, whence he moved in 1842 to Missouri. His daughter, Miss Nellie Hawke, is a native of Nebraska.

     JOHN DeHAAN. Agent Singer Manufacturing Company.--The Singer Manufacturing Company's Sewing Machines are in use throughout the civilized world, and are acknowledged by the public to be the best in every way. The popular local agent at Nebraska City is John DeHaan, a native of Iowa. He has had nine years' experience in the busi-

ness and came here from Grand Rapids, Michigan. His office is headquarters of this section over which he has proven himself a most efficient manager.

     O. N. WATSON, Groceries, Flour and Feed. --A representative business of this city is that of O. N. Watson, established in the fall of 1890. The premises, which are ample, are 24x100 feet, and two assistants are required. Mr. Watson selects the stock with care and guarantees all goods handled. He is a native of Virginia and has lived in Otoe County since the spring of 1869. He is a Mason and is a clear-headed and thoroughly practical man.

FAIRBURY.

     Fairbury, the county-seat of Jefferson is a beautiful city of 4 400 inhabitants occupying an eligible plateau on the second bottom of the Little Blue, near the center of the county. The location, lay of the land, and view of the surrounding country is all that could be desired. The meandering Blue can be traced for many miles up and down the valley, and in the growing months when the bordering hills are dressed in green, the scenery is very picturesque and strikingly beautiful. Not long since it was a silent stretch of prairie, and uninhabited, save by the deer and jack rabbit; the hunting ground of the Indian; the rippling of the Little Blue unheard by the white man, and its mighty strength going to waste. Now the whole is teeming with the business of civilization, and is filled with prosperous and happy homes. The river has a roar now where it only rippled then, and the noise of its toiling as it grinds the grain for thousands can be heard in the distance, and its waters that are not yet supplied with labor seem to say as they rush over the dam, "give me wheels and spindles to turn for you." Instead of the shifting wigwam, uncomely and uncomfortable, are neat, cheerful, commodious and beautiful homes, permanent castles in which every occupant is a sovereign, or an heir of sovereignty. Instead of the savage scream of the redman the stroke of industry and the joyous shout of the school boy is heard. Spires pointing heavenward, emblematic of man's soul longing for immortality, and a magnificent temple of learning rears its head to the skies where nature unsubdued by mind and heart ruled in her wild supremacy. The evening then was filled with the grating music of the war dance, but now the serenade, whispers of lovers, notes of airy fingers touched. sweetest music of the human voice, and hymns of praise float out and upward on the evening air. Thus here as elsewhere, the magic touch of civilization has changed a wilderness into a paradise as fair as its wide expanse before was desolate.
     The city was laid out in 1869. and although the ravages of flame and storm have three times paid most destructive visits, destroying property to the amount of many thousand dollars, and discouraging. many a "tender footed" settler, the city has surmounted all these elementary reverses, and by the pluck and stamina of an active, industrious, intellectual people, has risen to a proud and powerful position among the commercial cities of southern Nebraska. The city's growth properly commenced in 1872, when the St. Joseph & Denver railroad was completed. On the 24th of September, 1875, having the requisite number of inhabitants it was organized as a city of the second class, it now has 4,400 inhabitants.
     The city is thoroughly alive to educational matters and its school system ranks with the best in the State. Several fine buildings have been dedicated to learning.
     The great majority of the people are native Americans. though there are a few of many nationalities Nearly every State in the Union is represented, and as a class are intelligent and refined.
    The town, in its earlier days, had several fires: two distinctly to be remembered, occurred October 4, 1879, and February 28, 1880. Worse than these was the whirlwind and hailstorm on the night of June 20, 1881. The hailstones were two to three inches in diameter; $3,000 of window glass was broken. The trees were all broken and the crops along the path of the tornado were completely destroyed.
     The Fairburians are pre-eminently a Christian people. They possess the Puritans' love of church, but without any of those straight-laced practices which have brought the doctrines of the New Englanders into such an extensive field of keen and caustic criticism. The principal denominations are the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Christian, although nearly every creed has its followers in the city. The aforesaid religious congregations have fine church properties. In most instances the shepherds of the flocks are most substantially remembered by the comfortable parsonages provided for them.
     A member in good standing of any of the prominent secret societies can find a lodge to affiliate with, in this "home, sweet home" city. The veteran soldier has a Grand Army post to bid him welcome; the temperance man has here an association to entertain him.
     In every respect Fairbury is a beautiful home, where any industrious man can find a paying investment for muscle or money. Last year the commerce of this city reached $1,500,000, and the indications are that these figures will be largely increased during the coming season. To give a more direct indication of the importance of this point in the line of